repo

¹

[ ree-poh ]

noun

, plural re·pos.

1. a repurchase agreement.

repo

²

[ ree-poh ]

noun

, plural re·pos.

1. a repossessed property, especially a financed dwelling repossessed by the bank or other financing institution for delinquency of payment and offered for resale:

   We bought this trailer as a repo and have lived in it for 12 years, but now with kids we’re running out of room.

adjective

1. engaged in or relating to the business of repossessing or taking back high-priced merchandise, such as motor vehicles or machinery, from buyers who have failed to pay:

   I’m told that a repo company can just go to an address, find the car parked, and grab it.

verb (used with object)

1. to repossess or take back (merchandise) from buyers who have failed to pay:

   When their dry cleaning business really began to struggle, the bank repoed all their equipment.

repo

³

[ ree-poh ]

noun

, Computers Informal.

, plural re·pos.

1. repository ( def 5 ).

repo

/ ˈriːpəʊ /

noun

1. repurchase agreement
2. 1. repossession of property
   2. ( as modifier )

      a repo car

Word History and Origins

Origin of repo¹

First recorded in 1960–65; rep(urchase) + -o

Origin of repo²

By shortening of repossess; -o

Origin of repo³

First recorded in 1990–95

Example Sentences

And a repo will trash your undoubtedly sterling credit record.

From The Daily Beast

Having seen Repo, one wonders if she should reconsider, especially when the rumors are more interesting than reality.

From The Daily Beast

A futuristic Goth musical, Repo is set in a time when the human race is afflicted by a plague of organ failures.

From The Daily Beast

Where was you an' yore unknown pal goin' to repo't back to Plimsoll?

From Project Gutenberg